Welcome from the Dean
August 20, 2009
Greetings Parents and Families of Current and Prospective Students!
Many are contemplating where to go to college. Some students are thinking of transferring after this year. UW Fox has always been a great value, a great start toward a bachelor’s degree. Given the state of the economy, attending your local UW campus, and staying as long as possible never made more sense.
For over 75 years the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley has been the most affordable option for attending college. Indeed we are the lowest cost, highest value in the state of Wisconsin.
In 2009 there is no greater value than UWFox. I define “value” as what you get for what you pay. Everyone wants a great value. We always look for the lowest cost for comparable items, so why not do the same with a college education?
Fox offers the greatest value for the following reasons. We have:
- The lowest cost for courses that are part of every freshman-sophomore curriculum. Saving accrued by attending UWFox rather than another campus can more than pay for the junior year.
- Faculty who teach at UWFox do so because they put undergraduate education first.
- A safe environment. We have never had an instance of a reportable crime such as assault, rape, or murder.
- A campus that is free of the distractions, such as on campus partying in residence halls, that lead to student failure and a waste of money invested.
- Small class size that ensure students get the personalized attention necessary for their learning needs.
- Academic support programs such as a tutoring and writing center.
- The Guaranteed Transfer Program guarantees admission to the four-year UW campus of the student’s choice (not available to students who start elsewhere).
- Leadership, athletic and co-curricular opportunities that only exist for the select few at larger colleges.
- A foundation that annually offers nearly $150,000 in scholarship assistance for new and continuing students.
- The “University of Wisconsin” brand name, which carries with it influence in the future.
You might wonder if the quality of the Fox experience can equal that of a more expensive campus. After all, don’t you get what you pay for? Yes and no. One reason why some surrounding public institutions are so much more expensive is that there is an assessment for recreation centers, athletic centers and unions. We don’t do that.
Our faculty and staff are dedicated to the special needs of beginning students, be they 17, 27, 37 or whatever age. If you examine the publically available statistics you will see just how magnificently our students do when they transfer to the campus from which they will receive their bachelor’s degree. That’s quality. That’s value.
Many students don’t even need to leave us to obtain a bachelor’s degree. In collaboration with other UW campuses, we offer bachelor’s degrees in American Studies, Electrical Engineering, Leadership Development, Mechanical Engineering, and Organizational Administration.
As the public face for UWFox you would expect me to tout our virtues. But how many campus executives have had the experience of their students?
I have. I know this is all true because I started at Fox’s sister campus in Wausau. And the very positive difference this has made for me cannot be overstated.
For those who are serious and thrive on personal attention – those who want a private college atmosphere at a public university price – UWFox is truly the place to be.
Sincerely,
James W. Perry, Ph.D.
Campus Executive Officer and Dean